About Me (Dennis)

Hi. My name is Dennis Rowell and I'm one of the perpetraters of this website! I'm 59 years old and not all that fit, so anything I can do, anyone should be able to better! I've been hiking and backpacking the California Sierras since 1965, but just recently began bicycling the Sierras so I have a lot still to learn!  I started mountain biking about 1990 or so and road biking in 2002, and for the last two years I've been experimenting with cycle touring.There are some things that carry over from backpacking but much is new to me. I find that I'm learing new and better ways every trip I take touring! I do my own bike work and modify my bike's to suit me (right now I'm making a mini front rack out of a Blackburn rear rack - write up later).My current road / touring bike is a 1992 (?) Specialized Crossroads Trail ( in spite of it's name a 700 c road bike) which I have considerably modified. I also have an early Specialized Rockhopper Comp mountain bike that is occasionly ridden off road. My present plans call for several tours this year starting with one from the east side of the Sierras up through Kennedy Meadows, over Sherman Pass, down to the Kern river, up through Johnsondale and Ponderosa, on to Camp Nelson and Springville, then home to Exeter via Blue Ridge. Later I would like to ride from Yosemite home via Mammoth Pool road, Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake,Wishon Reservoir, Blackrock Res., up to 180 and home via Badger. Most of my rides are taken with my wife Llona, and sometimes my son John.

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About Me (Llona)

My earliest memories include bicycling.  Every Christmas brought a new bicycle during my elemenary school years.  Later transportation, even as an adult, often was per bicycle.  Yet, my natural strength and stamina never seems to compare with fast bicylists who cover in two minutes an uphill effort of 20 minutes for me.  My touring is super-light, under 14 pounds not counting water, bicycle and hot weather clothes and helmet worn.  Why?  Heavier is too much for my stamina.  Nights I have a fear of bear, in bear areas.  Cold seems colder, hot seems hotter than I see in others.  Sure, skill and a perfect husband-made-mechanic and custom-cared-for bicycles allow me to rush ahead of many people.  In backpacking, this also is the case.  However, at the end of the road, when you see a rider lying prone and collapsed, then sleeping days straight upon arriving at the sofa at home, just wave a friendly "Hi.  See you next tour."  I just might make it--again.

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